CSU Bakersfield SBCD set to start business webinar series

Small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Ridgecrest area are set to be introduced to a series of web-based seminars (or webinars) over the next year.

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By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Ridgecrest Daily Independent - Ridgecrest, CA

By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Feb. 16, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Updated Feb 21, 2013 at 12:31 PM

By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Feb. 16, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Updated Feb 21, 2013 at 12:31 PM

Small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Ridgecrest area are set to be introduced to a series of web-based seminars (or webinars) over the next year.

California State University, Bakersfield's Small Business Development Center, in partnership with the Eastern Sierra Connect Regional Broadband Consortium, launched these webinars in order to encourage small business and provide invaluable training.

According to he SBDC, the webinars "are a quick and convenient way to get pertinent information on business service information topics over the Internet and accessed via a computer."

For those residing in Kern, Inyo and Mono counties, registration and cost is free. They occur every other Wednesday of the month from 12:05 to 1 p.m.

Regional community centers are being set up in partnership with the SBCD and

the ESCRBC to allow group-site meetings for those unable to participate from their own location.

The webinars fall in line with the quick build-up to the Digital 395 Middle Mile Project approaching completion by its July 31 deadline.

In Ridgecrest, the group-sitting meeting selected is the Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce, which received a 55-inch flat screen television, a wireless connection and an Apple iPad.

The first webinar occurred Feb. 6 and was on the subject of crowdfunding, or an approach to fundraising through the support of a large number of people donating to specific projects via the Internet.

Future webinars include one on Feb. 20 geared toward the essentials of growing a small business, including the legal aspects, marketing and financial info in addition to technology.

The March 6 webinar educates people on changes to California law that allow certain food businesses to operate from a home kitchen.

Chamber CEO Nathan Ahle said the topics were worth taking the time to study.

"They're great topics and I hope people take advantage of the webinars," he said. "These are topics available for free that normally cost a lot more."

Kelly Bearden, SDBC's director, said the content from the first workshop has been well received and is moving in the right direction.

"I think anyone who is looking to start a business or already in business can benefit by attending any of the webinars," Bearden said.

ESCRBC program manager Julie Langou said the webinar topics were in part geared toward businesses in the Eastern Sierra.

"This initiative is for the Eastern Sierra," Langou said.

Bearden said some topics like the creative funding webinars were especially useful given the current difficult lending environment spurred by a sluggish economy.

"What we've done is we've been able to find some unique funding or loan programs that have been really beneficial around Ridgecrest and thorough Eastern Kern County," Bearden said. "So webinars like social media or on managerial are topics that are timely or provide good business."

Page 2 of 2 - In a workshop that accepts a maximum of 100 participants per webinar, Bearden recommended signing up early.

Bearden said the link between CSU Bakersfield's small business development center and the ESCRBC was only natural.

"It is an important step for many businesses," Bearden said. "With Digital 395 coming along and the last mile implementation that the consortium is working with communities on, getting that high-speed Internet is going to be crucial for small businesses along that border."

Langou said the equipment would remain on-site for future webinars and business opportunities.

"I'm telling everyone the equipment is for use for all of the small businesses," Langou said.

The ESRCB is going one step further to help small businesses develop a presence online. Langou said the organization would fund six applications up to $1000 each to build a web presence. The application is available at http://escrbconsortium.org/online-presence/.

"We are not going to do everything for them, but we will help build their online presence," she said. That would include showing up on local Chamber of Commerce websites and other organizations, and a few web pages.

The next webinar, "Grow our Business with Management Training," kicks off at the Chamber of Commerce Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. People can register online at www.csub.edu/sbdc.

Ahle said that at the webinars couldn't come at a better time given the economic situation.

"As the the threat of base cuts loom at the Congressional level, economic development and diversifying our community's economy are going to be even more important around here," Ahle said.